Ball bearing assembly utilizing a labyrinth seal

Abstract

A self-contained labyrinth seal ball bearing assembly includes at least one labyrinth seal including an inner labyrinth seal ring, an outer labyrinth seal ring, a radially inner bearing shield, and a radially outer bearing shield. The labyrinth seal forms an effective barrier against solid contaminants and also non-solid contaminants such as fluids.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ball bearing assembly having a labyrinth seal, comprising: 
 an outer ring having a radially inner surface;    an inner ring having a radially outer surface facing said inner surface of said outer ring, said inner ring or said outer ring being in association with a rotatable component;    at least one ball bearing disposed between said inner ring and said outer ring;    at least one labyrinth seal disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, said labyrinth seal including an inner labyrinth ring, and an outer labyrinth ring, said inner and outer labyrinth rings having ring extensions extending radially toward one another and defining at least one radial gap between said rings, the inner labyrinth ring being associated with the inner ring, and the outer labyrinth ring being associated with the outer ring, wherein the inner and outer labyrinth rings overlap both radially and axially,    an inner shield,    and an outer shield; and    an inboard shield.    
     
     
         2 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer labyrinth ring are made of a material from the group consisting of steel, plastic, or thermoplastic.  
     
     
         3 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner shield and the outer shield are in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         4 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the inboard shield is in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         5 . A ball bearing assembly having a labyrinth seal, comprising: 
 an outer ring in association with a housing, said outer ring having a radially inner surface;    an inner ring in association with a drive shaft and able to rotate with said drive shaft, said inner ring having a radially outer surface facing said inner surface of said outer ring;    at least one ball bearing disposed between said inner ring and said outer ring and disposed around the rotatable drive shaft;    at least one labyrinth seal disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, said labyrinth seal including two labyrinth rings having ring extensions extending radially toward one another and defining at least one radial gap between said rings, the inner labyrinth ring being associated with the rotatable inner ring, and the outer labyrinth ring being associated with the outer ring, wherein the inner and outer labyrinth rings overlap both radially and axially,    an inner shield,    and an outer shield; and    an inboard shield.    
     
     
         6 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the inner and outer labyrinth ring are made of a material from the group consisting of steel, plastic, or thermoplastic.  
     
     
         7 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the inner shield and the outer shield are in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         8 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the inboard shield is in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         9 . A ball bearing assembly having a labyrinth seal, comprising: 
 an outer ring having a radially inner surface;    an inner ring having a radially outer surface facing said inner surface of said outer ring, said inner ring or said outer ring being in association with a rotatable component;    at least one ball bearing disposed between said inner ring and said outer ring;    at least one labyrinth seal disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, said labyrinth seal including an inner labyrinth ring, and an outer labyrinth ring, said inner and outer labyrinth rings having ring extensions extending radially toward one another and defining at least one radial gap between said rings, the inner labyrinth ring being associated with the inner ring, the outer labyrinth ring being associated with the outer ring, wherein the inner and outer labyrinth rings overlap both radially and axially,    an inner shield,    and an outer shield.    
     
     
         10 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner and outer labyrinth ring are made of a material from the group consisting of steel, plastic, or thermoplastic.  
     
     
         11 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner shield and the outer shield are in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         12 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner labyrinth ring and the inner ring are a unitary piece.  
     
     
         13 . A roller bearing assembly having a labyrinth seal, comprising: 
 an outer ring in association with a housing, said outer ring having a radially inner surface;    an inner ring in association with a drive shaft and rotatable with said drive shaft, said inner ring having a radially outer surface facing said inner surface of said outer ring;    at least one ball bearing disposed between said inner ring and said outer ring and disposed around the rotatable drive shaft; and    at least one labyrinth seal disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, said labyrinth seal including two labyrinth rings each having ring extensions extending radially toward one another and defining at least one radial gap between said rings, the inner labyrinth ring being associated with the rotatable inner ring, and the outer labyrinth ring being associated with the outer ring, wherein ring extensions of the inner and outer labyrinth rings overlap both radially and axially,    an inner shield,    and an outer shield.    
     
     
         14 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner and outer labyrinth ring are made of a material from the group consisting of steel, plastic, or thermoplastic.  
     
     
         15 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner shield and the outer shield are in association with the outer labyrinth ring.  
     
     
         16 . The ball bearing assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner labyrinth ring and the inner ring are a unitary piece.